Chevy clearly didn’t get the memo about downsizing engines. While the rest of the industry scrambles to add batteries and shrink displacement, the Bowtie brand decided to drop the largest engine they have ever produced into a factory drag car. The 2023 Chevrolet COPO Camaro ignores every modern trend in favor of raw, naturally aspirated violence. It serves as a tribute to the golden era of muscle, but with enough engineering tech to gap just about anything in the other lane.
Big Horsepower Big-Block
Under that lightweight carbon-fiber hood sits the massive ZZ632 V8. For those doing the metric math, that equals a staggering 10.35 liters of engine volume. GM engineers managed to extract 1,004 horsepower and 876 lb-ft of torque from this iron-block monster without using a single turbocharger or supercharger. It breathes atmosphere and spits out horsepower. An ATI TH400 three-speed automatic transmission backs up the big-block, sending all that twist to a solid rear axle built specifically to handle sticky track prep and hard launches.
2023 Chevrolet COPO Camaro Chassis #62
Mecum Auctions has Lot T347 listed as chassis number 62 of only 69 units produced for the entire 2023 model year run. Summit White paint covers the exterior, but the factory-installed flag motif on the hood lets everyone know this isn’t some standard Super Sport. Since the car is capable of single-digit quarter-mile times straight from the crate, safety gear comes standard. A full roll cage snakes through the interior, while a wheelie bar keeps the front wheels from reaching the clouds.
A Loophole In History
The COPO nameplate carries a rebellious backstory. Back in 1969, General Motors had a strict ban on putting engines larger than 400 cubic inches into midsize cars. Clever dealers like Don Yenko used the Central Office Production Order system to sneak 427-cubic-inch big-blocks into Camaros. GM originally intended the ordering process for fleet vehicles like taxis, but dealers used the loophole to build absolute monsters. This modern version honors that rule-breaking heritage. Since the car lacks a VIN and cannot be registered for the street, it remains a purebred race car sold strictly on a bill of sale.
The Hammer Drops In Kissimmee
Gearheads looking to own this piece of high-horsepower history should watch the block at Mecum Kissimmee 2026. This specific car crosses the stage on Thursday, January 15. It represents a rare opportunity to grab a factory-built race car that refuses to compromise. The 2023 Chevrolet COPO Camaro is a loud, fast, and unapologetic machine that proves the big-block isn’t dead yet.
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